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Phillip Island is undoubtedly a great option for travellers who love to travel far during an extended vacation in Melbourne. There's so much to see and explore in this destination, and you'll love its cheerfulness for sure. Wondering how to get to this destination from Melbourne? Well, there's not just one way, but a couple of ways that you may choose from. Read on- this article discusses all these ways with their pros and cons.

The first question that you may get when planning to travel to Phillip Island from Melbourne is whether the two destinations are located too far from each other. Phillip Island is a destination located around 75 km to the south of Melbourne. In Box Hill, Australia hotels often suggest to their guests to travel to Phillip Island if they prefer a long tour because awesomeness is guaranteed. All you have to do is to select your transportation mode and get ready for the trip.

Yes, the exact distance between Phillip Island and Melbourne doesn't exceed 75 km, but if you travel by car, the distance will be around 140 km. This is because of the very narrow geographical location of this destination. The vehicle bridge connects San Romeo to Newhaven, and this is a separate way to the east of Phillip Island. A car ride from Melbourne to this destination will take around 90 minutes but the entire ride is enjoyable- thanks to the beautiful views.

Travelling by bus to Phillip Island is also another option that you have. If you are staying at Avani Melbourne Box Hill Residences, you just have to get to the Southern Cross Station to get your bus. The bus will stop at Newhaven and Cowes, so you may use one of these stops to get to Phillip Island. Well, the journey will take around 2.5 hours because the bus stops at various places, but this is a safer option for those who hesitate to drive long miles.

Did you know that a ferry operates from Stony Point to Cowes Jetty? Stony Poiny is on the Mornington Peninsula which is just 1.5 hour's drive from Melbourne. You can either opt to drive to Stony Point and then take the ferry from there or even take the bus from Melbourne up to Stony Point and then take the ferry. However, if you self-drive to the point where the ferry starts, you will have to park it there as vehicles are not allowed on the ferry. If you are wondering about the time durations, the whole journey will go for about 120 minutes (75 minutes for the drive and 45 minutes for the ferry ride). The bus ride from Melbourne to Stony Point will take longer than 75 minutes, but if you have allocated one whole day for your tour to Phillip Island, there's nothing too big to worry about timing even with this option.

If you prefer an organized tour during which you can cover everything that Phillip Island has got in store for you, travelling with a group will be the ideal option for you. All you need to do is to find a good travel agent and choose the package that suits your interest and budget. Mostly, travel agents offer full-day packages that include wildlife explorations and several other outdoor experiences.

If you want a more luxurious experience, you may also say yes to a helicopter ride to Phillip Island. Well, this will of course be an expensive activity to try out, but the overall experience will be mindblowing. This will be one of the best methods to engage in sightseeing in this destination.

Tipped to be one of the Gold Coast's most captivating tourist attractions, Lamington National Park is a one-of-a-kind sanctuary for nature lovers. Named after a former Queensland Governor, this vast expanse located close to Brisbane is one of the main reasons to tour the Gold Coast Hinterland. Whether you are stopping by for a day tour or spending several days experiencing the Gondwana Rainforest that's part of the parkland, here are some tips on how to make your experience a memorable one.

Sarah Kamenarov, Waterfall Lamington National Park, CC BY-SA 4.0

Those who wish to explore Lamington National Park when it is at its finest in terms of weather conditions should time their visit. Although it is possible to enjoy a day out at Lamington National Park during most months of the year, it is best to avoid the rainy and snowy periods in the calendar. August is considered by many to be the perfect time to spend a day in Lamington National Park as the month enjoys the least amount of rain or chance of snowfall. The months of July and September are other alternatives to consider when planning a trip to this area as the dry season offers one the chance to truly immerse oneself in the landscape of the park.

As an expansive national park, it is quite impossible to discover the best highlights of Lamington during a single visit. This is why staying at Avani Broadbeach Residences or any other hotels in Gold Coast, Australia, is necessary. A rest close to the national park not only means that you can spend more than one day exploring its leafy, verdant confines but that you will not be wasting time travelling back and forth from the park, spending hours on the road instead of minutes.

Australia is home to a great many national parks and nature reserves but what sets the Lamington National Park apart is that its geological lineage is over 225 million years old. This means that the flora and fauna found in the park are descendants of an ancient ecosystem. Having earned itself a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage list as one of the finest Gondwana Rainforests Down Under, it's not just the centuries-old trees that will impress visitors. As an area that is remained largely unchanged since the time of the dinosaurs, the thick mountain forests, the gushing waterfalls and the hiking trails all offer a unique look at the past.

Hiking and trekking in the many trails that crisscross Lamington National Park is a must for first-time visitors. There are hiking trails that range from Class 1 to Class 5 in terms of difficulty while the total area covered by the walking trails is well over 160km. Those who are visiting the park for a brief stopover can take on the paved Centenary Track, which takes a mere half an hour to walk and connects the Green Mountains car park with the Morans Falls and Python Rock tracks. Photography enthusiasts will find O'Reilly's Tree Top Walk the perfect trail for amazing nature shots. The 4.6km track also offers stunning views of Morans Falls. Experienced hikers can take on the 10.9km Box Forest Circuit, while the Border Track, which is 21.4km just one way is another exciting trail that cuts across the Green Mountains and Binna Burra.

Don't forget to take note of the ancient hoop pines and other captivating plant life occupying the park. The hike up to the Araucaria Lookout also affords panoramic views of plants while birding fans will also spot a few winged beauties including whip birds and Albert's Lyrebirds during their time in the park.